Newcastle manager, Rafael Benitez

Newcastle United’s last night 4-1 demolition of Preston North End has earned the team a promotion spot to the top flight of English football, the English Premier League(EPL). This has come exactly 348 days after the team was relegated.

The huge win ensured that the Rafa Benitez-tutored side pockets a prize worth more than 100 million pounds ($168.99million) and a chance to battle Brighton and Hove Albion for the Championship title.

Two tap-ins from Ayoze Perez, a well-coordinated counter-attack goal by Ghana’s Christian Atsu and a Matt Ritchie penalty after Preston’s Paul Callagher was sent off, completed the rout and sent the Magpies fans into wild celebrations.

“We are disappointed not to be on top of the league but hopefully we will put Brighton under a bit of pressure by winning our next match against Cardiff on Friday,” said man of the match, Matt Ritchie.

The team captain, Jamal Lascelles added: “It is a bit overwhelming, to be honest. Getting back to the Premier League was always the aim and that is what we have done.”

The win gives Newcastle United automatic promotion with just four points behind already-promoted Brighton with two games left to play in the season.